Full circle: Candidates lend an ear

The two candidates for House District 25 ended their campaigns on Monday where they started: talking to voters on porches and at front doors.

House District 25 challenger Greg Marrow has enjoyed grueling door-to-door campaigning during his more than eight months as a candidate.

“On August days when it was 90 degrees, I would ask,  ‘Is this really worth it?’ Then I would meet someone super nice with legitimate concerns and realize this is why I got into it,’’ said Marrow, D-McGaheysville.

Marrow’s opponent, Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, said his door-to-door visits with constituents this campaign season have allowed him to reconnect, and learn more about voter concerns.

The seven-term incumbent has heard from voters about the typical big issues – the economy, jobs and education. But he’s also heard about more local issues, such as closed interstate rest stops. The state over the summer shuttered 18 rest areas, including two off I-81 in Mount Sidney, in a cost-cutting move.

“And [voters] are not in favor of what is going on in Washington,’’ Landes said. “They do not favor government-controlled health care.”

When campaigning in the district’s more rural areas, Landes has “gone where you can get more bang for your buck.”

On Saturday in Weyers Cave, he visited 200 homes.

Marrow spent a portion of Monday afternoon walking through Waynesboro’s Pelham neighborhood, where he talked with several residents about his plan for jobs and other issues.

On Monday night, Landes canvassed one of Waynesboro’s Tree Streets, Pine Avenue.

If he loses today, Marrow said he will return full-time to his Harrisonburg optometry practice.

“I have a full slate of patients waiting for me,’’ he said. “I will have more time for my family and practice. But I will still talk to people.”

Marrow said he has learned much about the district by campaigning.

He had never visited the Augusta County community of Lyndhurst before, and is now much more familiar with the area industries.

Landes is optimistic about not only his re-election today, but the prospects of a clean Republican sweep of statewide offices.

If that happens, it would mark the first time since 1997 the statewide Republican ticket has won all three top slots.

Tonight, Marrow will await results at the Waynesboro Democratic Committee Headquarters at Willow Oak Plaza.

Landes will await returns with other area Republicans at the Staunton Holiday Inn.